Electrolytic apparatus



Feb. 9, 1932. 1, s. MCCLENAHAN 1,344,329

ELEGTROLYTC APPARATUS Filed Deo. 24. 1927 Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative form of electrode. s

In the embodiment of the invention -illustrated, 1() represents the positive pole of a dynamo 12which is connected by a suitable conductor 14 to a fixed conducting head plate 16 carried by a fixed standard 18. A similar standard 2O is located at the opposite end of the apparatus and supporting bars 22 are carried in suitable bosses 24 formed on said standards. material rides on the bars 22 and isconnected with the negative terminal 28 ofthe dynamo by a conductor 30. Y Y

Between the head plate 16 and tail plate 26 are. located a multiplicityof plate-like electrodes 32^`which are spaced apart by substantially ,U-shaped members 34 which serve toilhold electrolyte 36' supplied from an over- 1 head pipe 38 which isv connected by a quick detachable joint 40 with a supply main 42A.

The bars 22 are `covered with l insulating I sheaths which serve as insulated supports for the members 34,'which as shown in Figs. 2

and 3 are provided with extensions 44 having seatsshaped to fit the supporting rods. The :extensions 44 at .one side are provided with grooves 46 to'provide an overflow for the electrolyte and a launderr48 is provided .to catch the. overflow. The assemblage of plate-like electrodes and electrolyte holders 34 are heldin assembled relationship by clampscrews 50 whicha're threadedthrough brackets 52 securedto the standard 20. f

In operation, a Vdirect current offsuitable intensity flows from the positive'pole 10 of the dynamo 12 by wire 14 tothe head plate 16 which in turnis in contact vwith the firstV insoluble electrode 32 thus leading thecurrent into the first compartment or cell. This electrode which in the commercial `sense is called insoluble but which actually in the practice of the art may be very gradually disintegrated, passes the currerit into theelectrolyte 36 with a characteristic evolution of gaseous components caused by a dissociation of the electrolyte. `rllhe current thus traverses the electrolyte, which is being constantly circulated andV replenished from the external source-38, and enters the cathode surface of the next electrode 32 directly opposite, de-

positioning th ereon an electro-chemical equivalentofthemetalbeing reclaimed from the solution. This cathode surface upon which the electrolytic precipitation takes place Vis ordinarily, although not necessarily so, the reverse side of the same individual plate which forms the insoluble anode forthe next compartment or cell, and the amount of metal so plated is of course av function of thel intensity of current used and the time interval through which electrolysis is conducted. When the amount of metalso plated is of a desired amount the cells are drained, `the apparatus opened by turning the screws 50 thus reliev- A tail plate 26 ofwconducting e sembly together during operation, and the reclaimed met-al is easily Vstripped from the cathode surface.

In the event ofit being required for facilitating the stripping of the deposit, the cathode surface of each electrode may be given a light coating of oil or resinous solution of'a suitable nature and texture to form a cleavage plane. Y Reverting again to the passage of the current after the deposition of the metal and the vcurrent received into material of the cathodeentire action ofthe cell just explained takes place.` And yso Vthe "ourrentffiows inY series the entire distance of the'rnumber*of'cellsy provided which may be a hundred or more,v

until it finally arrivesV upon the 'last'cathode Y surface which is held incontact; with the tail plate 26 of conducting material which is provided with a conductor leading to other similar apparatus or back tothe negative pole of the dynamo thus cuit. j e

In the above described manner, it is clear that the path of the electric current is greatly shortened as i compared with Vprior apparatus,

completing the' electric lcirand many contacts are" eliminated. Permanent rigidity of 'the anode and cathodesurfaces makesfor the obtaining of a higher degree of power efficiency, inspection during thegrowth of.. the vdeposit iseasily had, and the Vfinal resultsjishow bytest ia decidedlyl increased yield of the IfnetalpfO'Iv '6,301.1 kilowatt of energy'expended.A e

The electrodes 32 referred to above shownV in Figs. 1 and ,2- are formed of a single homogeneous plate one face of which serves as an anode and the other face of which serves 'as a cathode on which the metal from solution is deposited. If desired', however, instead of making the electrode of a single homogeneous plate, Imay usel an 'electrode 32 as illustrated in F ig. 5 having a thin metallic plate 32'rl such as sheet copper. Such asheet can be clamped to the face of thel electrode`32. In operation, the metal from solution would be deposited on thisthin sheet 32al and after the required deposit is built upv when the clamps are released, the deposited metal can be easily and quickly detached from the plate 32. `The termfinsoluble electrode used in the claims is intended to cover either the' single plate electrode 32 or the composite electrode as illusf trated inY Fig.l 5 having a plate held in Contact with the plate. 1 l `Though I'have described with great par'- ticularity of detail certain specific embodiments of my invention, it is' not to be understood therefrom that the inventionv is restricted Vto the particularv embodiments `disclosed. Various modifications indetail and in the arrangements of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art Without departilngT from the invention as defined in the following claims.

l. In an apparatus of the character described, a dielectric member of material chemically inert to electrolyte, bi-polar electrodes arranged to receive current from electrolyte retained by said members, means for supplying electrolyte to the members, said members having grooved overflows at the top thereof and means for receiving the electrolyte overflowing from the tops of said members.

2. An apparatus for the electrolytic recovery ot metal from solution comprising a multiplicity of spaced bi-polar insoluble electrodes immersed in solution and adapted to have the metal recovered from solution deposited thereon and connected With a source of electric current and so arranged that the current flows in series from one plate through the solution to the next plate and so on throughout the apparatus and dielectric containers closed at the bottom and sides and open at the top adapted to retain the solution in contact with said electrodes.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my naine.

JAMES S. MOCLENAHAN. 

